Dental care for dogs

Re: Dental care for dogs

John Robinson — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:36:50 GMT

Whilst it is reported / known that Chlorhexidine stains teeth it should be remembered that the degree of staining is relative to the concentration used and the total number of applications. It is rarely seen in veterinary use - unlike in people where a rinse is being used twice a day for years.

The staining is only superficial and is easily removed by polishing. Chlorhexidine is universally considered the best chemical antiplaque agent and without any major side effects. Like all topical therapeutics it will only be effective on the surface of the plaque biofilm. It is the best thing to reduce gingivitis especially when combined with toothbrushing. It should not be used at the same time as a toothpaste as this will inactivate the chlorhexidine.

I can e-mail anyone a review of chlorhexidine in veterinary dentistry if you contact me at john@vetdentist.com

Re: Dental care for dogs

John Robinson — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:24:47 GMT

If I may add a few points to this discussion;

Toothbrushing is the most effective method of plaque and tartar control - when it is done.

A good quality human brush is best for dogs and the small end of the double ended brush for cats and tiny dogs.

It is the mechanical cleaning action of the tooth brush which is most important.

Toothpastes add little additional benefit - there is no magical ingredient. A pet toothpaste should be used - flavour is important to encourage co-operation.

Gently hold the muzzle to keep the mouth closed whilst brushing - this will stop dogs chewing the tooth brush and make the task much easier !!

If the tooth brushing being achieved is insufficient it should be supplemented by things which maximise the cleaning from chewing activity such as dental diets (with the fibre system), safe chew treats or chew toys. The chew object should be tough but not hard so that it deforms and contacts more tooth surface.

The Veterinary Nurse is key in changing tooth brushing for pets from concept to reality.

John Robinson, Dentist to the Veterinary Profession

Re: Dental care for dogs

kaz84 — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:06:55 GMT

chew toys such as kongs are great. greenies, denta stix and good old dry food only.

my collie is 8, never brushed his teeth or had a scale and polish, only fed dry food (hills/euk) raw bones every now and then...... pearly whites

Re: Dental care for dogs

Jen — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:34:25 GMT

I use hills t/d as cant manage brushing and it works wonders!....add small amount with her daily food and its perfect.......stopped it once and the tartar starting building up straight away.

Fabulous

Re: Dental care for dogs

Phrin Vernon RVN — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:47:28 GMT

My rescue pooch has near perfect teeth, with a bit of tartar build up on her molars. I must admit I have never brushed her teeth (she won't let me! although she will let me manually scale them occasionally - odd pooch!)

Anyway, I give her pigs ears, the odd dentarask, and dry food. She still has some tartar at the back though

My cats on the other hand! My 18mth old DMH already has tartar! And there is no way he will let me brush his teeth! It took 2 nurses to pin him down for his vaccination! He has always had 80% dry food, with the odd pouch to remind him where he lives! (Lots of old cat loving ladies round here ;p)

So I would be very interested in a freebie of Plaque Off. We do stock it work, but I never feel confident reccomending it to clients, as I have never used it (Can't afford to lol)

Re: Dental care for dogs

Emma Phillips — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:51:34 GMT

There is a plethora of research into the well known staining potential of Chlorhexidine when used in mouthwashes and other oral hygiene preparations – this extrinsic staining can be removed by professional polishing and minimized by differing the Oral hygiene regimen – in humans! See Medline and Pubmed for abstracts and references. For pets – CHX based products can and will cause extensive staining – a problem for some owners /show dogs but not for the vast majority of pet owners where the principle of risk benefit must be considered – try other anti – inflammatory products such as hyaluronan gingival gel if you want a reduction in discomfort and inflammation without the staining.

Elaine Tilling - Molar Ltd

Re: Dental care for dogs

Sophie Bedford RVN CertVNECC — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:35:36 GMT

Excellent thanks for the tip - being a lab I'm not used to him turning his nose up at anything! lol

I will try again by adding it gradually each day and see what happens. Thanks again!

Re: Dental care for dogs

Charlotte Fitzgerald — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:29:50 GMT

Now I wish I remember where I heard this information so I could back it up.

I remember reading somewhere that Chlorhex which is included in some dental water additives can cause the teeth to discolour and stain brown. Does any one have any info on this?

Re: Dental care for dogs

Chris Geddes — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:24:06 GMT

Grr my signature isn't working - I'm product manager for Dental at Virbac :)

Chris

Re: Dental care for dogs

Chris Geddes — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:22:58 GMT

[quote user="Sophie Gosden RVN MBVNA"]

I completely understand about dogs turning it into a game, my lab turns everything into a game!

I did try the vet aquadent but he refused to drink so now he just gets a bone every now and again and a conscious scale if it starts to build up

[/quote]

Hi Sophie. You raise a good point there re Aquadent and palatability of water. I wonder if you introduced it gradually into his drinking water? Much like when changing over a pet's diet to prevent "neophobic" animals turning their noses up, it's a good idea to introduce Aquadent gradually. Most animals will accept Aquadent willingly, but it's always worth introducing it gradually, just for the sake of the few "neophobes" who will turn their nose up to anything different. It is obviously designed to be as palatable as possible - but it will always taste slightly different to plain tap water. I think most (all?) dogs accept it when introduced gradually...a good tip to give to owners when recommending Aquadent I think!

The other thing to mention is, it still may be doing some good at doses a lot lower than we recommend on the label...there was a study in Australia which showed excellent results in cats when given at HALF the doseage recommended on the label. Please message me if you want info on this study.

Chris

Re: Dental care for dogs

Shelly vn — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:06:58 GMT

This thread has just reminded me what a terrible owner i am! I never brush my dogs teeth. Its such a battle and i always forget, but they do get raw hide chews most days. I probably should practise what i preach!

Re: Dental care for dogs

Emma Phillips — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:16:39 GMT

I can't rave enough about it since it sorted out my Bertie (cat, not husband - that is yet to be tested!). There are quite a few consumer testimonials on the website, www.molarltd.co.uk.

WDS was great, fantastic people and great atmosphere - the shows are good. Paignton next!

Emma

Re: Dental care for dogs

Lynn Perry — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:59:42 GMT

I've heard of PlaqueOff, it's supposed to be pretty good, no?

Also, yay for WDS! Last time I was there was about 4 years ago when I was showing my Gordon. Ah, I miss shows.. *nostalgia*

Re: Dental care for dogs

Emma Phillips — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:45:55 GMT

Hello all,

Since my last message, I have had a few members enquiring if they are also able to obtain a free pot of PlaqueOff as they wish to promote it in practice, which is great to hear - thanks to all! I currently have eight pots on my desk which were left over from the Windsor Dog Show so would like to open this to all and say the first eight to respond to this message will win a FREE pot of PlaqueOff Animal 60g.

Best wishes

Emma (Molar Ltd)

Re: Dental care for dogs

Sophie Bedford RVN CertVNECC — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:44:54 GMT

I completely understand about dogs turning it into a game, my lab turns everything into a game!

I did try the vet aquadent but he refused to drink so now he just gets a bone every now and again and a conscious scale if it starts to build up

Re: Dental care for dogs

Lynn Perry — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:57:26 GMT

I tried cleaning our dogs teeth. It didn't go well xD The Springer doesn't like his mouth handled so he locked his jaws (I'm pretty sure breaking into Fort Knox would have been more productive) and the Gordon, whilst used to it as a show dog, thought it was all one big game and just wanted more toothpaste to eat! So these days, they have a denta-stix every couple of days and now and then we let them have a good ol' gnaw on a bone. The Springer's 10 and the Gordon's 9 and both of them have very little plaque on their teeth as a result of this treatment.

Re: Dental care for dogs

Chris Geddes — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:50:20 GMT

Hi Charliv,

I'm product manager for dental at Virbac. Just thought I'd let you know that we have various toothpastes available, all of which you can get from vet wholesalers. We do enzymatic in chicken and fish flavours, and also a chlorhexidine-based shampoo called Parodongyl. We also make a dual-ended toothbrush, and have kits available which work out cheaper than buying the brush and toothpaste separately.

We do various other dental products too - message me if you want further information. We all know that brushing is number 1 and far exceeds anything else - but other products can help in addition, or where brushing isn't possible. I brush my dog's teeth.....but have to admit I can't manage with the cat!

Chris

Re: Dental care for dogs

Emma Phillips — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:37:08 GMT

Hi, I'm writing from Molar Ltd who supply ProDen PlaqueOff Animal to Vet Wholesalers, Vet Practices and Pet Shops.

PlaqueOff is a completely natural seaweed product which works systemically to help reduce bad breath and prevent plaque bacteria from forming. ! Now clinically proven to work !

Using this, in conjunction with brushing, has very good results.

If you fancy giving it a try, I would be happy to post you some info together with a FREE pot! Just let me know.

Good luck with the brushing.

Emma

Re: Dental care for dogs

Charlotte Fitzgerald — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:46:34 GMT

Thanks for the ideas x

Re: Dental care for dogs

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:15:04 GMT

[quote user="Doolally"]

I know its controversial and all that....but every so often I give my dog a big old raw knuckle bone, it cleans his teeth up beautifully, he doesn't like dentastixs etc.

As long as the bone is about the size of the dogs head he shouldn't be able to chew bits off and instead just gnaw it, and obviously supervised at all times, and raw not cooked and he only has it for 48hours max otherwise it starts to dry out and then could splinter.

I do brush his teeth most days but the bone definitely helps

[/quote]

i do this too. it's not something i would recommend to clients as i would hate for them to take it wrong and give allsorts of bones, but for my dogs i find it very effective.

Re: Dental care for dogs

funkyfish — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 05:49:44 GMT

Mine think tooth brushing is a big game and will lick off the toothpaste/bite the head off the tooth brush! So I gave up. They wont eat dental chews, but do eat rawhide ones.

I descale and polish them (conscious) every couple of years. They seem to mind this less than brushing?!?

Re: Dental care for dogs

Doolally — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:45:09 GMT

I know its controversial and all that....but every so often I give my dog a big old raw knuckle bone, it cleans his teeth up beautifully, he doesn't like dentastixs etc.

I do brush his teeth most days but the bone definitely helps

Re: Dental care for dogs

Charlotte Fitzgerald — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:52:48 GMT

[quote user="Maisy"]Also my old dog had a daily Rask every night for his 14 years [/quote]

Mine to has a denta stix every night, I aquired him as a rescue he was around 1-2 at the time and he did already have plaque forming from a bad diet so with changing his diet and giving lots of hard chews etc most of it has come off, so I'm looking to maintain them for him now.

Re: Dental care for dogs

Sally Howe — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:16:14 GMT

All 3 of mine are brushed daily using either logic or verbac enzymatic poultry. Good old mum-in-law does it after their brunch

Re: Dental care for dogs

Maisy — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:08:53 GMT

I used Logic on my old Lab and am going to use it on my new puppy when he's a bit older. With puplet at the moment he's just getting used to toothbrushing with a finger brush for now as he's only little Also my old dog had a daily Rask every night for his 14 years and combined with Logic he had perfect teeth and gums, especially for an old dog. I know these products aren't to everyones' liking but they certainly worked for him.